COMMONLY CONFUSED WORDS—HOMONYMS
73
ANSWERS
How did you do on identifying the correct word? Check your answers here, and
then analyze the results to figure out your plan of attack for mastering this topic.
1. alluded. To allude means to make an indirect reference to.
2. extent. Extent means the range, distance, or degree to which something
reaches or extends.
3. disbursed. To disburse means to pay out.
4. ingenious. Ingenious means marked by inventive skill or creativity; showing
inventiveness and skill, remarkably clever.
5. waive. To waive is to give up (a right or claim) voluntarily, relinquish; to
refrain from enforcing or insisting upon (a rule, penalty, standard proce-
dure, etc.).
6. proceed. To proceed means to go forward or onward, especially after an
interruption; move on, advance.
7. imminent. Imminent means about to occur, impending.
8. prosecuted. To prosecute is to bring a criminal action against someone.
9. ascent. An ascent is an upward slope; a movement upward, advancement.
10. censor. To censor is to forbid the publication, distribution, or other public
dissemination of something because it is considered obscene or otherwise
politically or morally unacceptable.
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S
ometimes you will hear English expressions that sound familiar but are
hard to define outside of the context in which they are used. They’re called
idioms. Although they don’t always follow the general rules of word usage, they are
an integral part of any language and are important for you to know.
An idiom can sometimes mean one of a number of things, depending on how it’s
used within a sentence. In its simplest form, an idiom is an everyday term or expres-
sion whose meaning evolved over time as it was used in conversation and informal

• bursar: the financial officer of a college
• tuition: the cost of attending courses
On your own, try and locate the definitions of the following words, which are fre-
quently heard around campus.
syllabus transcript master’s degree
practicum core curriculum credit
alumni liberal arts sabbatical
registrar elective dormitory
You might want to use the Internet to locate these definitions, or even ask a uni-
versity representative.
The word idiom is from the Latin word idio, referring to the self. An idiosyncrasy,
for example, is a habit or custom peculiar to one’s self. An idiom is seen as any kind
of language use that has gained wide usage in that particular language. An idiom is
peculiar not to an individual person but to an individual culture’s use of language.
Here are some things to keep in mind about idioms:
➥ Idioms can be confused with clichés, colloquialisms, and slang.
• Clichés are overused phrases that have remained in the language for
a long time. “Pretty as a picture,” “right as rain,” and “selling like hot-
cakes” are examples of clichés. They are too well known to English
speakers. Through overuse, their impact is lessened.
U
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• Colloquialisms are expressions that may be appropriate in informal
speech but are incorrect in formal writing. The use of “should of” for
“should have” and “plan on going” instead of “planning to go” are
examples of colloquialisms.
• Slang is informal language that is often peculiar to a particular age or
occupational group. Examples of slang are “tellin’ it like it is” or

O
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IDIOMS AND VOCABULARY VARIATIONS
77
hold off: delay
burnout: a point of physical or emotional exhaustion
fly off the handle: to get angry
life of the party: a person who makes things enjoyable for a group of people
cool his heels: wait a long time
be a wash: even out
spitting image: exact likeness
up to the job: capable of doing the work
by and large: as a general rule
give the slip to: escape
once in a blue moon: very seldom
keep your ears open: to stay attuned
all of a sudden: suddenly
boil down: summarize; amount
catch up: to complete something belatedly
drop off: deposit or deliver
find out: discover, learn
have on: wear
keep + -ing verb: continue without interruption
jump in: begin or enter eagerly
make up your mind: settle, decide
put off: to hold back to a later time
show up: arrive, appear
sleep on it: delay making a decision until the next day
take place: happen, occur
used to + verb: something accomplished in the past, but not in the present

●
Once again, use the power of mnemonic devices and associations to help
you remember meaning.
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
On the lines provided or on a separate piece of paper, indicate whether each of the
following expressions represents slang, a colloquialism, or a cliché. Then compare
your selection to the correct answers at the end of the chapter.
1. “She may of gone to the movies” is an example of __________.
2. “The car battery was dead as a doornail” is an example of __________.
3. Hang a right at the next corner” is an example of __________.
Answer yes or no to the following sentences, on the basis of your knowledge of
the idioms. Then compare your selection to the correct answers at the end of the
chapter.
4. If you burn out at something, it means that you need the services of an
electrician. _____
5. If it happens once in a blue moon, it happens rarely. _____
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6. If you give the slip to someone, you hand over your undergarment. _____
7. You have to stand near a window if you are going to watch out for
something. _____
8. If you give something a shot, you are willing to try. _____
ANSWERS
How did you do on identifying idioms and word variations? Check your answers
here, and then analyze the results to figure out your plan of attack for mastering this
topic.
1. colloquialism
2. cliché
3. slang

d. artistic
3. I have always liked your positive attitude; it has _____________ affected our
working relationship.
a. adversely
b. shamelessly
c. candidly
d. favorably
Practice Test 1
81
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4. Dog-sitting for Buddy is easy to do; he is a _____________ and obedient
pet.
a. delectable
b. commonplace
c. meddlesome
d. docile
5. The directions to the new office were _____________, and I had no trouble
finding it in time for work.
a. priceless
b. arduous
c. explicit
d. embodied
6. If your drinking water is not _____________, it could cause serious health
problems.
a. valid
b. quenchable
c. impure
d. potable